LENS NEWS

Sepe Elye Wahi - Red card and goal Saturday Elye Wahi scored one goal to go with three shots (three on goal) in Saturday's 3-0 victory against Clermont Foot. He was sent off after acquiring two yellow cards in the first half...

Impact Wahi scored the opening goal of Saturday's match, a header in the 11th minute assisted by Ruben Aguilar. He then picked up two yellow cards in the span of one minute in stoppage time of the first half. As a result of his red card, he will miss his side's next league match, Saturday versus Lyon.

NOVEMBER 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Brice Samba - Keeps clean sheet Saturday Samba made four saves and secured a clean sheet in Saturday's 3-0 win versus Clermont Foot.

Impact Samba kept his sixth clean sheet of the season Saturday, all of which have come in his last seven league matches. He has been in great form, and his defense's turnaround has certainly made his life easier. Next up he faces Arsenal in the Champions League on Wednesday, with his next league match coming on Saturday versus Lyon.

NOVEMBER 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Massadio Haidara - Available to face Clermont Haidara (illness) is in the squad to play Saturday against Clermont.

Impact Haidara was deemed doubtful earlier this week due to an illness, but it seems he recovered in time to feature here. The defender got two starts in three matches before the break and is expected to get the start if fit once more.

NOVEMBER 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Wuilker Farinez - Not in squad to play Saturday Farinez (knee) is not in the squad for Saturday's match at Clermont.

Impact Farinez is in the final stages of his recovery from a gruesome knee injury, but he's not ready to return to action yet. Even if he's deemed ready, he'll be a backup alternative to Brice Samba in a best-case scenario.

NOVEMBER 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Oscar Cortes - Not in squad to face Clermont Cortes (thigh) is not in the squad for Saturday's match at Clermont.

Impact Cortes has been dealing with a nagging injury and won't be an option in the team's first game after the international break. His next chance to play will come against Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League next week, but given he is likely to be eased back into action when he's available, that game might come too soon for him as well.

NOVEMBER 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Wuilker Farinez - Finally set for return Farinez (knee) is available for Saturday's trip to Clermont Foot, according to manager Franck Haise.

Impact Farinez is available Saturday, though he will still be the backup option behind Brice Samba, who has been the consistent starter. Farinez could see some limited cup action but in reality he won't see the pitch barring injury elsewhere.

NOVEMBER 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Massadio Haidara - Doubtful with illness Haidara (illness) is a doubt for Saturday's trip to Clermont Foot, according to manager Franck Haise.

Impact Haidara returned from international duty with Mali with an illness. The defender got two starts in three matches before the break and is expected to get the start if fit once more. Przemyslaw Frankowski is a likely option in the starting XI if Haidara is deemed unable to go for Saturday's match.

NOVEMBER 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Deiver Machado - Out against Clermont Foot Machado (groin) is out for Saturday's trip to Clermont Foot, according to manager Franck Haise.

Impact Machado is out Saturday due to a groin injury he suffered with Colombia. The wing-back will be left sidelined Saturday, giving Ruben Aguilar another start more likely than not. Machado's first chance to return will be a Wednesday trip to Arsenal in the Champions League.

NOVEMBER 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Adrien Thomasson - Stuck on one goal Thomasson has scored just once before the November international break.

Impact Thomasson has been in and out of the starting XI, as expected, due to rotation, but has struggled to put much on the board. It's disappointing for the striker certainly, though he's still maintaining a significant role. Thomasson has plenty of upside when in the starting XI and generally has quite a safe floor.

NOVEMBER 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Salis Abdul Samed - Makes two tackles in win Samed recorded one cross (one accurate), two tackles, two interceptions and one chance created in Sunday's 1-0 victory against Marseille. In addition, he was given a yellow card in...

Impact Samed had a decent outing during Lens' win at home, making the second-most tackles and interceptions for his side. He also received his fourth yellow card of the season, though. The midfielder has yet to score or assist after 16 appearances (12 starts) so far.

NOVEMBER 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Angelo Fulgini - Assists winner as sub Fulgini assisted once to go with two shots (zero on goal), three chances created, two crosses (two accurate) and two corners in Sunday's 1-0 victory against Marseille.

Impact Fulgini subbed on in the second half and created Jonathan Gradit's winner in the 90th minute with his second assist of the season. The midfielder also led his side in chances created despite the limited time in the pitch. He's been in and out the squad lately, starting in four of his last 10 appearances.

NOVEMBER 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Jonathan Gradit - Scores late winner at home Gradit scored one goal to go with one shot (one on goal) and one cross (zero accurate) in Sunday's 1-0 victory over Marseille. In addition, he was given a yellow card in the 44th m...

Impact Gradit scored for the first time in the season in the 90th minute to give Lens three points at home. The centerback also did well on defense, leading his side in interceptions (four). But he received his sixth yellow card of the season, fourth in Ligue 1 play.

NOVEMBER 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Brice Samba - Keeps clean sheet in win Samba had two saves and secured a clean sheet in Sunday's 1-0 victory over Marseille.

Impact Samba did enough to keep his fifth clean sheet of the season and help Lens win at home. All of the five shutouts came in his last nine starts. The goalkeeper will look to keep the momentum at Clermont Foot on Nov 25.

NOVEMBER 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

David Pereira Da Costa - Plays four minutes in return David Costa recorded one cross (one accurate) and one chance created in Sunday's 1-0 victory against Marseille.

Impact David Costa returned to the pitch Sunday after missing the last three matches with a thigh injury. He also missed a good two months of the season with an ankle injury, making just five appearances off the bench thus far.

NOVEMBER 13, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Brice Samba - Six saves in defeat Samba recorded six saves and allowed one goal in Wednesday's 1-0 defeat to PSV Eindhoven.

Impact Samba equaled his personal best in the Champions League with six saves in the match, and has now allowed one goal in all four group matches. The goalkeeper was beaten in the 12th minute by a header from Luuk de Jong. He got a hand to the ball, but it deflected off the crossbar and into the net. Looking ahead to their next group match, the goalkeeper will face Arsenal, a team with nine goals in four Champions League games.

NOVEMBER 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

De Jong's early goal helps PSV Eindhoven past Lens 1-0 in the Champions League

Luuk De Jong scored early and PSV Eindhoven beat Lens 1-0 for the Dutch team’s first Champions League group-stage victory in eight years

NOVEMBER 8, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Morgan Guilavogui - Sent off in stoppage time Guilavogui was shown two yellow cards and sent off during the second half of Wednesday's 1-0 loss to PSV.

Impact Guilavogui will be suspended for one match after being sent off. It was a truly awful showing from Guilavogui, who came off the bench for 13 minutes and managed to get sent off. He will miss a Nov. 29 trip to Arsenal, but will return for the final Champions League group stage match against Sevilla.

NOVEMBER 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Wesley Said - Appears off bench Said came off the bench for the final eight minutes of Wednesday's 1-0 loss to PSV.

Impact Said was recovering from a thigh issue and came off the bench for the final eight minutes. The striker will likely remain a depth option moving forward as Elye Wahi has been the preferred choice to lead the attack.

NOVEMBER 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Ruben Aguilar - Left out against PSV Aguilar was not on the team sheet for Wednesday's match against PSV Eindhoven.

Impact Aguilar has now been left out of the match-day squad for the past two contests after missing out in the club's last game against Lorient. It is unknown at the moment if the wingback has some type of injury or has just fallen out of favor in the starting XI, but after looking like the regular starter, he has now sat out in three of their last four matches. The most likely option seems to be that he will serve more of a rotational role now, as Deiver Andres Machado and Przemyslaw Frankowski look to be the regular starters out wide in the defense.

NOVEMBER 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Wesley Said - Bench option in return Said (thigh) is on the bench for Wednesday's UCL clash against PSV.

Impact Said is back on the bench for Lens after a two-match absence, sidelining him for the past two matches. The forward most likely won't get much time on the pitch Wednesday, if any at all, as he only held a rotational role off the bench before his injury.

NOVEMBER 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Oscar Cortes - Won't be available against PSV Cortes (thigh) will not be an option for Wednesday's match against PSV after picking up a thigh injury.

Impact Cortes won't be eligble to play on Wednesday after going down with a thigh injury last week. There hasn't been a whole lot released on the player's injury, so it is didfficult to judge the seriousness or timetable for this injury. This is a tough break for the forward, as he just earned his first goal contribution with the club. Luckily for Lens, his injury shouldn't affect the squad too much, as he only has one appearnce all season.

NOVEMBER 7, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Wesley Said - Set for return Said (thigh) was included in the traveling squad for Wednesday's clash with PSV.

Impact Said has missed two matches with the muscular issue but it was never thought to be serious. While Said might not trouble the starting XI ahead of Elye Wahi he is still a nice addition to the bench that could provide some depth in what could be a tough match on the road.

NOVEMBER 7, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Mvogo makes 7 saves as Lens is held 0-0 at Lorient. Marseille plays again with draw against Lille

Lens has been held to a 0-0 draw at Lorient in the French league after goalkeeper Yvon Mvogo delivered a superb performance to keep the hosts afloat

NOVEMBER 4, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Massadio Haidara - Starts, attempts seven crosses Haidara registered one shot (zero on goal) and seven crosses (zero accurate) in Saturday's 0-0 draw versus Lorient.

Impact Haidara was given a start out wide, his first since Sept. 2 at Monaco. While the versatile Frenchman did not do much then, that was not the case Saturday. Haidara attempted more crosses against Lorient than he did during his other four appearances across the 2023-24 Ligue 1 so far. Now, the question for Haidara is if his latest appearance warrants continued starting opportunities. He was utterly inaccurate with his crosses Saturday. So despite his volume, Deiver Andres Machado remains the favorite out wide on Lens' left side.

NOVEMBER 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE